Ohio is a bit of an unsung hero for elopements. It has all four seasons, beautiful cities, lush nature and that midwestern sweetness the middle of the county is known for. Whether you’re a Buckeye State native, or looking for a destination elopement – Ohio is a wonderful option that shouldn’t be overlooked. The question remains – how to elope in Ohio? 

The steps to make your Ohio marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated, tedious, and frankly stressful. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done quickly and stress free! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• Witnesses required for your Ohio elopement
• All inclusive Ohio elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Ohio on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
  

How to Get an Ohio Marriage License

Obtaining a marriage license in Ohio  is relatively easy. Every license is issued by one of Ohio’s probate courts which are in each of the 88 counties. You do not need to be a resident of Ohio to receive an Ohio marriage license. If you or your spouse is an Ohio resident, you and your partner will go to the probate county in your county to get your marriage license. If neither of you is an Ohio resident, you’ll both appear at the probate court within the county you’ll be married for your appointment. The steps to making an appointment with a circuit court clerk and obtaining a marriage license are as follows:

• Apply online for your marriage license and confirm you agree and understand all information required for an online application
• Make an appointment at either the county you live in, or the county where you’ll be married 
• Bring forms of identification to your appointment. This is inclusive of:
  • Your birth certificate
  • A government issued ID, such as your driver’s license or visas
  • A current utility bill to show proof of address
  • You don’t need to bring your social security card, but you will need to know your social security number
  • Payment for fees
  • Proof of divorce, if applicable
• Form of payment for fees. Price and payment methods vary by county, so confirm what is required in your specific county before your appointment 

Once you receive your marriage license, it is valid for 60 days. There is also no waiting period in Ohio, so once you receive your marriage license, you’re good to get married!

Getting Your Marriage Certificate

The process of getting a marriage certificate starts at your marriage license appointment, where you will put your intended last name on your license. After your vows have been exchanged and your officiant has mailed your signed license, you’ll be able to order copies of your marriage certificate. While you can of course order only one, it’s recommended to get two. This is because as you’re changing your name, you’ll be using this document a lot. While in transition, it’s always good to have a backup in the event of an emergency. 

Do you Need a Witness for Your Ohio Elopement

No witnesses are required for your wedding ceremony in Ohio. Though no witnesses are required, your officiant will need to sign your marriage license to make your ceremony legitimate.

Do I Need an Officiant for my Ohio Wedding

Yes, only officials authorized by the state of Ohio are permitted to perform a wedding. These individuals are either duly ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Secretary of the State of Ohio, judges within the state, or mayors. Does it seem stressful to handle getting an officiant on your own? Simply Eloped is more than happy to coordinate you with a local, professional officiant

All Inclusive Ohio Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Ohio Elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in Ohio. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Ohio elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Ohio

Looking for the best places to elope in Ohio? Here are the favorites of our Simply Eloped couples.

Cincinnati Parks Garden Areas

If you’re looking for a garden escape in the middle of Cincinnati, the park areas are made for you. With multiple venues within the park itself, elopements with up to 45 guests are a breeze. A permit is required to elope within the park area, which Simply Eloped will coordinate on your behalf. It is important to specify where in the park you’re hoping to have your wedding ceremony, as many park locations book up quickly.

Cincinnati Parks Garden Areas welcomes chairs, leashed pets, and streaming. It also has an onsite bathroom, is wheelchair accessible, and has parking available. Please note that alcohol, candles and sparklers are not permitted. 

Mojave East

Looking for some southwestern charm right in Ohio? That’s Mojave East. Adorned with decorations reminiscent of the southern California desert, this venue is like a mini vacation. This venue, equipped with both indoor and outdoor space, is ready to host an elopement or micro wedding of up to 20 guests. Please note that a permit is required for this venue, which the couple is responsible for.

Mojave East welcomes leashed pets, chairs, alcohol and music. Please note that candles and sparklers are not permitted.

The Factory Events

Located in Northside’s Historic Business District in Cincinnati, The Factory Events is a bright, spacious venue ready to host an elopement of 20 or less guests. Please note that a permit is required for this venue, which the couple is responsible for.

The Factory Events welcomes streaming, chairs, alcohol, and leashed pets. Please note however that candles and sparklers are not welcome. If you’re looking for a venue in the heart of Cincinnati with a little bit of history – look no further!

How to Change your Last Name in Ohio

Changing your name in Ohio takes several legal and non legal steps. The amount of steps will depend on if you’re changing your name to your spouse’s surname, hyphenating your name, or changing your name all together. If the latter, you’ll need to do step two. If you’re changing to your spouse’s surname or hyphenating, you’ll skip over that step. Otherwise, here’s your list of name change to-do’s.

1. Get your Marriage Certificate: we covered this earlier, but you’ll need this as proof of your marriage, and your intention to change your last name. Once you’ve tied the knot, you’ll submit your paperwork, which includes your marriage certificate signed by your officiant, to the probate court. From there, you’ll receive your certified marriage certificate.
2. Petition for a Name Change: This step is only required for more specific changes. If you’re changing to your partner’s surname or hyphenating last names, this is not required. However, if you’re both changing to a new last name all together – you’ll need to petition for this change in one of the county probate courts of Ohio. You’ll fill out a Change of Name form, explain the reason to the judge, who will then sign off on your change. Relatively simple.
3. Change your Name with Social Security: Once you’ve received your marriage certificate, this is your next legal step. Changing your name with SSA requires you to mail or bring your documents to a local SSA office. You’ll fill out the necessary forms and bring them with you to your appointment, as well as proof of identity (like your driver’s license,) and proof of citizenship (this is birth certificate or passport). You’ll receive your new social security card by mail in a matter of weeks.
4. Change your name on your Driver’s License: Time to head over to the Ohio BMV. Make an appointment and head there with your existing license, your new social security card, and proof of your name change. As you can see, your marriage certificate is a pretty important document in this process. You’ll also need to bring a form of payment for the fees associated with getting a new Ohio driver’s license.
5. Change your Name on your Passport: The steps here are federal, so they’re the same throughout the United States. The forms you will need to fill out are dependent on a few factors, like whether your passport is expired or not. To find out which documents apply to you, go to Travel.State.Gov. Once you have filled out the proper paperwork, you’ll need:
   • Your current passport
   • Your certified name change document (marriage license or otherwise)
   • A new color passport photo
   • Payment and other fees in the form of a check

Depending on your passport needs, you will either be able to submit everything by mail, or need to submit your documents in person. After submitting, a new passport will take several weeks to arrive. You’ll be able to track the progress of your application and passport online.

•  Change your Non Legal Documents: Once you’ve received your new passport – you’re done with the name change legal process. You made it! Time to update the non-legal items. Examples to consider are your insurance (health, car, home, renters,) employment, and credit cards. While a rather lengthy process, it is digestible if you just take it step by step.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026. 

Written by Lisa Guglielmo

Lisa is the Marketing Manager at Simply Eloped. Having gotten married in 2022, she experienced the good (and not so good,) of traditional wedding planning. Here, she loves watching couples do their weddings their way.